Bennett A. Red Elk | August 26, 1988 - November 11, 2021
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Nov 14, 2021 | 8:33 AM / 378 views
Bennett A. Red Elk, 33, of Eagle Butte, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, peacefully in his recliner at home in Eagle Butte, surrounded by his loved ones.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in the St. Thomas Cemetery, On The Tree, SD. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 22, 2021, at the church with a procession from the 4-mile at 2:00 p.m.
Bennett Amos Red Elk was born on August 26, 1988, at the Old Indian Health Hospital in Eagle Butte, SD to Patricia Red Fox and Richard Red Elk. Bennett was baptized at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at On The Tree, SD.
Bennett was welcomed by two older brothers, Peyton and Chauncey, along with one older sister, Ashley. “Benny” is what he was called by his family. When Bennett was a toddler, he never had to walk, because he was always carried around by his big sister Ashley. Benny was the baby of the family so when he wanted something either his big brothers or sister would get it for him.
Benny was a root’n toot’n cowboy at a young age, He would chase the dogs with a rope or ride the dogs. Benny had an infectious smile that would light up a room; it was either he wanted something, or he did something he wasn’t supposed to be doing. Benny wore boots and trunks while he was young, he never went anywhere without his boots.
Bennett met Tracey Maupin out of high school and to this union Lillian Teddy Red Elk was born in 2009. Later in life he met Roni Bowker-Red Elk, and to this union Lainey Mae Red Elk was born in 2018. After six years of being with one another Benny asked Roni to marry him, so they were married September 24, 2021.
Bennett worked at various jobs throughout his lifetime within CRST; but his passion was with horses and cattle.
Yearly during the CRST Fair & Rodeo, Bennett and his brothers would work the stripping chutes at the Rodeo Grounds. He was either helping his uncles with branding, cutting, or training horses. Bennett worked for various ranchers around Cheyenne River. Bennett enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting the breeze with family and friends.
Bennett went on the Unity Ride 2000. The Healthy Nations Riders rode from Green Grass, SD to Takini, SD. They stayed at the Melvin Anderson Ranch; then onto Deerfield, SD for the “World Peace & Prayer Day” on June 18-21. There were six young boys and one girl that were part of the Healthy Nations Riders Program: Bennett Red Elk, Charlie Larrabee, Brandon Bagola, JC Brown, CJ Miner, David Eagleman and a girl, Roach. The Healthy Nation Riders participated in the “Horse Dance” at the gathering. This dance hadn’t been held for over 100 years in the Black Hills of SD. The Healthy Nation Riders did a great job at representing the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Later that winter Bennett, along with his older brothers, joined the Healthy Nations Riders on the Big Foot Ride and earned a Big Foot jacket. Not many youngsters can say they rode to the Black Hills and to Wounded Knee in the same year.
Bennett loved horses, and of course branding cows. A rancher once said, “those Red Elk boys are no match for a cow, they just knock’em down with ease and hang on.” The Red Elk boys would be mentioned about by ranchers, as they were dependable hard workers and always willing to help when called upon. Bennett worked for Doug Maher who was just like a dad to him. Doug and Bennett had a unique cowboy bond that was very special to Bennett. Doug even branded Bennett’s cowhide gloves with Bennett’s own special brand that Doug had made. Wopila Tankan Doug for molding a great cowboy in our Son, Brother, Nephew and Takoja.
Bennett Amos Red Elk is survived by his wife, Roni; children: Lainey Mae Red Elk and Lillian Teddy Red Elk; mother, Patricia Red Fox (Lloyd Harrison); father, Richard Red Elk (Candace Hollow Horn); siblings: Peyton (Donielle) Red Elk, Chauncey (Toni) Red Elk, Ashley (Joe) Red Elk, Amber Red Elk, and Severt Red Elk; grandmothers: Beatrice Phillips, Vivian Traversie, Marge Clown, and Elizabeth Bruguier; aunts: Rilla Noisy Hawk, Clarice Lara, Maryann Red Fox, Faye Rousseau, Irma LaPlante, Iva Traversie, Carrie and Carla Blue Coat, Reba Three Legs, Candace High Elk, Gayle Dupris, Nancy Reddog, Sylvia Picotte, Grace Kasto, Karen LeBeau, Inez Roether, Veronica Holy, Frieda Condon, Violet Catches, Joyce Youngbird, Maryann Blue Coat, and Rita Elk Eagle; uncles: Loren Anderson, Mark Red Fox, Murray Red Fox, Gilbert Reddog Sr., Greg and Marty Thompson, Marvin, Mark, Merle, and Sam High Elk, Roland Miner, Tom Three Legs, Tom Red Bird, Curtis Circle Bear, and Ben Elk Eagle; cousins: Tyrone Anderson, Cate and Junebug Brings Horse, Railin, Shayla, and Marita Noisy Hawk, Taylia, Marlee, and Rowdy Red Fox, Jalynn, Dillion and Miranda Red Fox, Murray Jr., Kody and Shanelle Red Fox, Chaske Red Fox, Dawn (Chopper) Bad Male, Benita (Effie) Elk Eagle, Ryan Blue Coat, Kirby Blue Coat, Jimmi Guerrero, Kelsey Montreal, Frank Blue Coat, Thomas Three Legs, Ashley Blue Coat, Vicki Blue Coat, Neil Blue Coat, Gavin Blue Coat, Kelly LaPlante, Lanny Blue Coat Jr., Leland Handboy, Sherri Red Elk, Donny Swan, Stewart Swan, Rhonda Rousseau, Lisa Rousseau, Elaine Rousseau, Frances Rousseau Jr., Larry Rousseau, Debbie Rousseau, Dana LaPlante, Lisa Marshall, Kristi Marshall, Ann Marie, William LaPlante, Emma LaPlante, Dakota LaPlante, and Jacob LaPlante.
Bennett is preceded in death by: Alberta Hawk Eagle, Steve Red Fox, Harry Red Fox, Elmer Traversie, Josesph Blue Coat, Robert Archie Blue Coat, Irene Blue Coat, Ann Thompson, Rose Badhand, Ruby Reddog, Mathel Coramae Marshall, and so many other loved ones that have already passed on. May Bennett be welcomed by our Tiwahe na Tiospayes.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Bennett’s arrangements.